Development and characterization of an inexpensive single-particle fluorescence spectrometer for bioaerosol monitoring.

Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) techniques to analyze atmospheric aerosols are commonly applied for research and human exposure monitoring, but are very expensive or offer poor spectral resolution. Here, we discuss how a recently proposed instrument can acquire resolved fluorescence spectra from many individual particles in a single camera image using four excitation wavelengths matched with common biological fluorophores for particle discrimination at lower cost. We discuss emission intensity calibration and demonstrate spectral differentiation among four species of pollen. These data provide context for how the instrument could be developed for pollen and mold-spore detection or for use by citizen scientists.